Question Time: Industrial Flooring FAQs

When collaborating with Facilities Managers and industrial unit owners to create a customized resin flooring solution for their heavy-duty environments, it's common to encounter a variety of frequently asked questions.

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For those not immersed in the technologies behind resin flooring daily, the subject can seem overwhelming. Important considerations often revolve around initial costs, safety for colleagues and visitors, and maintenance needs. In certain fields, concerns such as SR1 flatness and ESD control also frequently arise.

Can Resin Flooring Achieve SR1 Flatness?

A highly flat finish is crucial in industrial warehouses where aisles are narrow and tall racks store goods. Any unevenness in the flooring can create hazards for forklift operators.

Epoxy, polyurethane, and MMA resin flooring systems have self-leveling properties, and when installed by skilled professionals, can achieve SR1 flatness, making them ideal for warehouse environments.

Additionally, their seamless application ensures no grout lines or breaks in the floor surface along warehouse driveways.

How Can Resin Flooring Reduce Slip and Trip Hazards?

Slips and trips are common workplace incidents often linked to inappropriate flooring. Prioritizing staff safety when selecting floor coverings is essential, especially in areas exposed to wet processes or frequent cleaning.

Resin flooring systems can be customized with safety features like anti-slip properties, including additives such as quartz, aluminum oxide, glass spheres, or silicon carbide to enhance slip resistance.

Are Resin Floors Cost-Effective?

Though resin flooring can sometimes have higher upfront costs due to material expenses and specialized installation, its durability makes it a cost-effective option in the long run, as it reduces the need for frequent replacements.

Also, choosing resin flooring can lead to savings on maintenance, cleaning, and energy costs, further justifying the investment over time.

How Do Antistatic Floors Function?

Antistatic floor coatings manage electrical charges by creating a controlled pathway for electricity to flow, directing the charge towards an appropriate grounding point.

The coating includes conductive elements that transmit the charge through the entire thickness of the floor and into a copper earthing tape, which the resin finish is placed over.

Imagine the grounding point as a drain and the electrical charge as water. The charge (water) travels across the resin antistatic floor and is safely removed via the grounding point (drain).

The dispersal rate of an electrostatic charge through the floor is determined by the coating material’s electrical resistance, measured in ohms (Ω), and typically expressed in kilo-ohms (KΩ) or mega-ohms (MΩ).

Conductive

Static conductive resin flooring has an electrical resistance lower than 1.0 × 10⁶ Ω (1 million ohms), allowing electrons to travel easily over or through the material's surface. It redirects charges to the ground or another conductive object upon contact. These materials have a surface resistivity under 1 × 10⁵ Ω/sq or a volume resistivity under 1 × 10⁴ Ω-cm.

Dissipative

Static dissipative resin flooring's electrical resistance ranges between 1.0 × 10⁶ Ω and 1.0 × 10⁹ Ω. This type allows charges to flow through the material at a controlled, slower rate compared to conductive flooring. Dissipative materials have a surface resistivity between 1 × 10⁵ Ω/sq and 1 × 10¹² Ω/sq or a volume resistivity between 1 × 10⁴ Ω-cm and 1 × 10¹¹ Ω-cm.

Searching for More on Industrial Flooring?

Vebro Polymers provides a range of seamless industrial resin flooring systems designed to tackle various service challenges in industrial settings.

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They offer multiple epoxy and polyurethane resin flooring systems from the vebrores line, a durable MMA quartz system from the vebrospeed range, and several heavy-duty polyurethane concrete systems from the vebrocrete line for demanding environments.

Discover more about Vebro Polymers’ range of industrial flooring here.

Have Any Questions?

If you're a Facilities Manager, building owner, or responsible for the maintenance of an industrial unit and have queries about resin flooring, the Vebro team is ready to assist!

Contact the Vebro team in Manchester, UK by emailing hello@vebropolymers.com.

Liked this article? Here are a few more we think you’ll enjoy…

Each industry has unique conditions and needs that influence flooring decisions in large facilities. With numerous flooring systems available, the choices can be overwhelming. Answering these five questions can help identify the best flooring options for your needs:

1. Is reducing facility downtime a priority during installation? If renovations are planned, management must balance benefits with potential disruptions. For minimal downtime, Methyl methacrylate (MMA) flooring systems are ideal as they can be installed quickly. Black Bear Coatings & Concrete has completed fast MMA flooring installations for various businesses, minimizing disruption.

2. Are stringent operating conditions a factor? In industries like food processing and pharma, floors must withstand wet conditions and high-temperature cleanings. Urethane coatings provide seamless, durable floors suitable for these tough environments.

3. Is a strong visual impact important? For retail and hospitality sectors, eye-catching floors are crucial. Metallic epoxy flooring offers a glass-like finish and decorative colors, while polished concrete provides stylish options with stain and stencil designs.

4. Are customer and employee needs influencing the choice? In healthcare, bacteria-preventing floors are essential. Seamless urethane coatings are effective. Zero VOC urethane products also suit requirements for low emissions and odors.

5. Is occupational safety the primary concern? Safety is a significant factor in industrial, retail, and healthcare settings. Non-slip surfaces like epoxy coatings and polished concrete ensure a safe, durable environment.

For expert advice on the best flooring system for your business, contact Black Bear Coatings & Concrete. Our experienced team can provide tailored solutions to meet your needs and budget. Serving New England and New York, we ensure every flooring project is a success. Contact us for a free estimate and explore our solutions.

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